These past few years I’ve had the opportunity to visit Jordan and Lebanon on your behalf. While there, I met with Syrian Christian families who had lost their homes, schools, churches and, sadly, members of their own families.

I particularly remember this family I met in Zahleh, Lebanon, that was forced to leave their Christian village when ISIS fighters approached.

“I lost everything in Syria,” the father of a refugee family said to me. “Now, my only hope now is to have my family move to another country with my family. In the meantime, my kids need to eat and go to school. Without your support, that would be impossible. Thank you so much.”

He added: “It is motivating to know that people in Canada care about us.”

The very survival of Christians is at risk. In 2011, more than two million Christians lived in Syria, but today, fewer than one million remain and more are leaving as fighting continues. In the last 7 years, CNEWA’s priorities have been focused on strengthening the remaining Christian presence in Syria and in helping families who are refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.

Thank you! Your generosity is transforming the lives of these families in need. You are helping to restore their lives and dignity.

Carl Hétu National Director

Your Support in 2017

CNEWA Canada spent the sum of $806,440 to help internally displaced people in Syria and Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon and Jordan.

Below is a sample of the projects you supported in these three countries in 2017:

Glass of Milk Program: Over 3,000 children aged 1 to 10 years old received one glass of milk a day and a meal at school or at their parish. Kids also received school kits and materials. Amount used: $200,290

Support Basic Needs: This program cared for over 500 families and provided essentials such as food, water, clothing, activities for children and catechetical sessions. Amount used: $153,450

CNEWA’s Partners

For decades, CNEWA has forged relationships with various local churches such as the Melkite Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Maronite, Syriac Catholic and Syriac Orthodox — as well as religious congregations like the Sacred Heart Sisters, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Good Shepherd Sisters, Jesuit Fathers, Marist Brothers and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Thank You

God bless you for helping to make all this happen through Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Know that the people whose lives you have so generously touched remember you and your intentions in their prayers of gratitude — for the Lord hears the cry of the poor.